Extended Benefits (EB)
Extended Benefits (EB) are sometimes offered in Delaware during periods of high unemployment. The unemployment extension assists workers who have used up their regular unemployment insurance benefits.
When active, Extended Benefits can provide up to 13 additional weeks of support. States can add up to 7 additional weeks, making a total of 20 weeks during times of extremely high unemployment.
Not everyone is eligible for Extended Benefits, even if they qualify for Delaware unemployment benefits. If you do qualify, the weekly benefit amount for Extended Benefits is the same as what you received for regular unemployment compensation. You can use the Delaware unemployment calculator to estimate your weekly benefit amount. However, the total amount could be less than 13 weeks, or in some special cases, less than 20 weeks.
It’s important to note that Extended Benefits are not available in Delaware at this time.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is a federal program provided by FEMA to assist those who have lost their jobs or self-employment opportunities as a direct result of a major disaster. This program is particularly important for those who aren’t eligible for regular state unemployment insurance.
DUA helps those who have lost their job, can’t reach their workplace, have damage to their place of work, or have an injury caused by the disaster. The program provides funds for up to 26 weeks after the date of the disaster declaration, as long as the unemployment continues to be a direct result of the event.
The maximum weekly amount is set by the state law where the disaster happened. However, the minimum amount is half of the state’s average benefit.
To be eligible for DUA, individuals must meet specific requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien
- Apply for DUA within 30 days of the public announcement of its availability
- Not be eligible for regular unemployment insurance
- Be unemployed or partially unemployed due to the major disaster.
- Be able to work, unless injured by the disaster.
- Not have refused an offer of suitable employment.
If you’re affected by a disaster and need to file a claim, watch for state announcements about the availability of DUA. The U.S. Department of Labor oversees the DUA program, working closely with FEMA. Once a Presidentially declared major disaster happens, FEMA provides funds for the payment of DUA benefits and covers the administrative costs.
If you live in Delaware and a disaster affects your employment, the local unemployment insurance agency will issue public announcements regarding the availability of DUA. Remember to apply within the time frame and comply with all the requirements to receive this temporary benefit extension.
CARES Act and American Rescue Plan Act
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and America Rescue Plan provided a variety of unemployment extensions during the COVID pandemic. These programs all expired in September 2021.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
PUA benefits provided compensation to people affected by COVID-19 who typically wouldn’t apply for regular state unemployment benefits. This included self-employed individuals, those seeking part-time work, or those without enough work history. Some unique cases also qualified, such as those who became the main earners due to a COVID-related death in the household.
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
PEUC extended unemployment benefits to those who had used up their regular unemployment insurance under Delaware or federal law. This program offered up to 13 additional weeks of UI benefits.
PEUC ended in Delaware on September 6, 2021.
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)
FPUC was part of the American Rescue Plan, providing an extra $300 per week to all recipients of state or federal unemployment benefits. The program provided financial breathing room to those unemployed due to the pandemic.
Just like the other programs, FPUC expired on September 6, 2021. The last week these benefits were paid in Delaware was the week ending Saturday, September 4, 2021.
Lost Wages Assistance (LWA)
Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) was a temporary federal program supplementing unemployment benefits for the weeks ending August 1, 2020, through September 5, 2020. This program helped those who lost wages due to the pandemic.
Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC)
MEUC provided an additional $100 benefit to certain people with earnings from both self-employment and wages. It was intended for those whose incomes were mixed, including freelancers and gig workers who might have lost different sources of income due to COVID-19.
Like the other programs, MEUC ended on September 6, 2021.
The expiration of these federal programs marked a significant change in unemployment benefits. At this time, there are no unemployment extensions available in the state of Delaware.